News about our Holidays for People with Learning Disabilities

Pos'Ability Magazine Article on Go Provence

Thank you George

Last week, Go Provence was informed by a parent, that her son, George, had passed away. He was 26 years old. George was a young man who was planning to come on a Go Provence holiday in the summer of 2015. It didn't happen so his mum planned on supporting him to come out this summer. His mother told us that she is asking people who wish to buy flowers for George to make a donation to Go Provence instead. She has asked specifically that these donations be used to help someone on a low income to come on one of our holidays. A little bit about George. George was an extremely talented sportsman and played brilliant tennis, table tennis, football and cricket. All of his friends say how in awe they were of him at school because of his sporting prowess. After many years of difficulty, George was diagnosed at 19 years of age, with Asperger Syndrome. He suffered three psychotic breakdowns and was sectioned three times between the ages of 19 and 26. He was found Tuesday morning on the side of a train track having suffered electrocution and multiple injuries from a train.This is a tragic story, and all of us at Go Provence wish to express our sincere condolences to George's family and friends. We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to George's family for thinking of Go Provence by giving the donations from George's funeral to someone on a low income who can receive the chance to enjoy one of our holidays. Thank you.

A Dimensions support worker has won a Busman's Holiday competition, to work for a week as Go Provence. Lynette Davies, from Hampshire, has chosen to spend her 'Busman's Holiday' on a Go Provence Adventure themed week in August of 2016. Lynette will be supporting people not just to have a memorable holiday but also paraglide, white water raft, pony trek, rock climb and kayak around the Gorges du Verdon, an area in Provence where Go Provence is based.

Dimesions and Go Provence worked together to create the competition, in it's second year now, to give Dimensions staff the chance to use their skills in a different environment. To enter the competition, entrants were simply asked to write one hundred and fifty words stating why they should be chosen to go on a Go Provence holiday. Lynette was chosen by the judges to be the best. This is what Lynette said about herself.

'I have been a support worker with Dimensions for 6 years and work with a number of different people, helping them to take part in activities in the community. I love nature and doing things outdoors, one of my favourite activities is kayaking. When I saw the competition I was very keen to enter but didn't expect to win, and was a bit nervous but my family told me I must apply! I had to write 150 words about why I should be chosen for the Go Provence holiday so I explained how I love outdoor activities and helping those I support to get involved in different things that give them a sense of achievement and how it would be great for my confidence. I was surprised to receive the email telling me I had won and am now very much looking forward to meeting everyone and experiencing Provence'.

Regional Manager Director, Luke Joy-Smith, who created the competition said:

'Dimensions have always placed strong importance on recognising and rewarding our staff wherever and whenever possible. Our partnership with Go Provence and this holiday opportunity provides Dimensions with a number of benefits. It's an unique opportunity that compliments our approach and reinforces our values (which Go Provence share). Furthermore, it provides invaluable learning which our successful employee brings back into the organisation and in turn helps to improve our overall learning and contributes in making a positive difference for the people we support.'

IanCallen, Director of Go Provence, said of Lynette's competition win, 'We are really pleased that Lynette will be coming out to join us for a week in August. It is always valuable to us to get a new perspective on practise and methods. I know that the team and holiday makers love a new face too. We are also proud to be associated with Dimensions. They have a brillian track record with the support they give and are a progressive not for profit organisation who put the people that they support at the heart of their values.'

Have a look at the Dimensions website and find out more about them. Click here.

Go Provence is shortlisted for Social Care Inspiring Image

INSPIRING PHOTOGRAPH shortlisted in Community Care 'Inspiring Images of Social Care 2015', for the THIRD YEAR in a row. There are 25 other amazing images that have been shortlisted from various social care settings, 12 of which will be chosen for a calender. Take a look here and be inspired by these photographs. www.communitycare.co.uk/inspiring-images-social-care-2015-shortlist/# Thanks to Nick and Jamie who appear in the photo.